Thursday, October 24, 2024

Member Profile: Amy Baril of twotango collaborative

Q: Where did you grow up and tell us a little about yourself. 

A: I grew up in the best city in the world, Richmond, VA. I attended Virginia Commonwealth University (Go Rams), and I am a boomerang Richmonder, having moved away for a little over a decade, then moving back with my husband and daughter. 

Q: Please tell us about your journey to become a CEO.

A: I never aspired to be a CEO, but sometimes opportunities come to you that are too good to let pass. I started my career as an assistant media buyer at Circuit City Stores, moving then to The Martin Agency, McKinney, Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina and then to NDP advertising agency, (Now Two Tango Collaborative). At Two Tango, I had the opportunity to move up in the agency from Media Director to VP of Media, to President and now CEO. I love everything about being a CEO, the challenges of learning, running a business, and connecting with other leaders, the opportunities to give back to an amazing city and to create a place where people love to work. 

Q: How are you promoting leadership development at twotango collaborative?

A: Every year we ensure that we provide opportunities for growth. Whether that is seminars, conferences, courses or serving the community on boards our team may love. It is a priority to give back to our team. We also promote from within first, and then look outside of our firm if needed. 

Q: Are you working on any new business ideas?

A: Yes, being a Collaborative* is by design. We do not just do advertising; we are constantly providing solutions that go beyond the normal advertising agency. Shhhhh don’t tell, but we have more on the horizon.

Q: Are there any national/business authors that you follow? What is it about them or their message that resonates with you? 

A: I am a huge fan of Mel Robbins. She has an inspirational story of perseverance and to never give up. She also provides a balance of data with the human factor in business, life, community and the journey of life. Her messages are backed by science, not just ‘fluff’. I also enjoyed Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance: Inside IBM’s Historic Turnaround by Lou Gerstner. A great book about the transformation of IBM’s business and its evolution in the early 1990’s to become a critical consultant business model. In my field, change is constant, so understanding how to stay ahead and evolve is critical.

Q: When you are not leading twotango collaborative, what do you like to do? 

A: I love music, everything about it. I love going to shows and looking around to see 10,000 that normally would never be in the same space, but this one thing brought us all together, no matter your background, value system, race, religion, sexuality… you are all there to share in an experience. 

I love spending time with family and friends chilling in our back yard around the fire pit, going to movies, eating out (have I said how amazing Richmond is with the restaurant scene).

Q: You attended our Fall Leaders Conference with your team. Do you or your team have a takeaway from the experience?

A: “Isn’t that awesome” is something we still say. We came away feeling rejuvenated in how to engage with our clients, and each other. To ask the tough questions in a different way. To stay focused on what really matters. 

Q: Tell us how you are involved in the community.

A: I am President of the American Marketing Association of Richmond, a volunteer board with the purpose of sharing, learning and networking with Richmond’s great marketing minds. I am also on the board of rvaTech Foundation that supports STEM Education and Community Development.

Q: Since you’ve been a member of VACEOs, how have you grown as a CEO? 

A: I came into VACEOs with an open mind, not sure what to expect and in short form was thrilled to have a community where I could be open, honest and supported. I have learned many other CEOs have the same challenges, have walked in my shoes so to speak and just ‘get it’. Which has been valuable to me. I have also learned I have much to offer to other CEOs through my diverse career and experiences.